Labor: A robot specifically designed for construction work.
Labors allow dramatic advances in construction, but also in crime.
To combat these new Labor crimes...
the police created a special unit: The Patrol Labor.
And thus, the birth of Patlabor.
You must not let go of your dreams
And never turn your gaze away
Yet even still love may cloud up and fade away
And even though you comforted your love
When he was feeling down
Sadness was still weighing down his heavy heart
Hang tight onto your dreams - they're weapons in your arsenal
You'll find that you can get through anything at all
So never cry -you know I will always be watching over you
What I love about you is your strong sense of fairness
So never cry -you know I will always be right there by your side
And so now you can face your future fearlessly
Grandma?
You'll catch cold.
I was dreaming of a time long ago.
I'll be gone for about two hours. I'm sorry to leave you alone.
Don't mind me.
Think about what you'd like for dinner.
Entering port at 1700 hours.
I can't believe it! Not on our day off!
How can you have a banquet in the freezing cold?
Ota, you're the one who was lonely on Christmas.
Aren't you glad we're all here celebrating?
I'm not one to get taken in by some weird festival.
If you don't like it, then go home.
I'll stay for the grub.
Shinshi's with his wife, and Kanuka's with her grandmother.
It's the only time of year I actually miss my family.
Hey.
Don't forget that you're all still on standby,
even when you're off-duty.
Yes, sir!
Kanuka dropped off a present.
Oh, is she here?
Yeah, but she left. She dropped off a half-finished report.
A real policeman doesn't chase after women like that!
Asuma!
Why'd you tag along?
Well, what are you doing here, Asuma?
Like I said, Kanuka doesn't know Tokyo too well...
so I promised to show her grandmother around.
- Oh, really? - Well...
What are you really up to? Confess!
She said she went looking for the Christmas of 50 years ago.
The Christmas of 50 years ago?
What does that mean?
I don't know.
Grandma left that message and then headed out.
So you finally made it.
Four Brocken machines and the experimental one have arrived.
The experimental one will be called the "phantom."
Repeat, the experimental Labor will be called "phantom."
It looks like most of her belongings are still here.
So, she probably wasn't going far.
She'll probably be back soon.
Grandpa's picture is gone.
What does that mean, when Grandpa's picture is gone?
I've a feeling she's not coming back.
No way!
You're just worrying for nothing. You shouldn't say such things.
But why did she take Grandpa's picture if she just went out for a minute?
Maybe she wanted to show it to someone.
I'm not convinced.
Anyway, let's go look for her.
How?
Hello, Special Vehicles, Second Section. Oh, Shinohara!
Sorry to disturb.
But they upgraded our status to alert standby.
Return immediately.
- Captain, we, uh... - What?
We, uh...
Uh, never mind. We're on our way.
We've received an alert standby order?
Let's go.
But Kanuka, what about your grandmother?
I pride myself on being a professional policewoman.
Patrol car 504.
Come in headquarters. Headquarters?
I wonder what's wrong?
Division 2...
you've just received an invitation to our party.
I'm Matsui, from the Joto Department.
We received your message. What's the situation?
All communications with Tokyo Teleport have been cut off.
The phones and networks are down. Even the radio's out.
Furthermore, no cars are coming out of Tokyo Teleport as well.
As for the connector bridge, we sent people across...
but none seem to come back.
The same goes for vehicles.
Does that include patrol cars?
Yes.
Doesn't HQ have a special anti-hijacking unit?
The Japanese GSG-9? I haven't heard from them.
Well, they don't tend to keep a high profile, after all.
But I'd say they haven't been able to help,
considering that you're here to see us.
What could possibly be going on at Tokyo Teleport?
That's what I want you to find out.
I'm afraid it doesn't interest me.
What are you talking about? It's our duty.
And it may be a problem if we can't get Division 2 involved.
Clearly, ECM is being used to jam our communications.
In other words, this may be strategic.
The self-defense force sounds nervous.
I wouldn't be surprised if they mobilized very soon.
The self-defense force?
Once the heavy vehicles are armed, move out!
Standby at the Ariake Interchange.
Get ready!
Captain Fuwa, phone call!
Hello? Shinobu! It's been a while. What's up?
Nothing, really.
I was wondering if you had to work on Christmas Eve.
We're on duty here, too. We both have rotten hours.
Sure, I'd love to see you at New Year's. Take care.
She's on the move.
You never make personal calls when you're on duty, Shinobu.
You were checking up on me, but I won't let you spoil this chance.
That's bad.
You have to let Kanuka off tonight, considering her state.
We don't have anyone who can take her place, though.
Captain, can't we go look for Kanuka's grandmother?
What a dilemma.
I have a favor to ask.
- You want Shige? - Yeah, just for a while.
Goto, I don't think that's a reasonable request.
I know, but I'm asking anyway.
Make sure you check it thoroughly!
And ammo! I need lots of extra ammo!
I heard this might be an alien invasion, so don't hold back!
I had no idea you had such an imagination, Ota.
I'm serious!
The boys are acting strange. Are you asking me because of that?
Yes.
All right. I expect an explanation when this is over.
Thanks.
What does "the Christmas of 50 years ago" mean to you?
Now you're feeding me riddles? Who knows?
Well, thanks anyway. Who knows?
Wait.
50 years ago?
That would be 1950.
Isn't that when the Korean War started?
The Korean War?
Beginning that December,
Japan got a major boost in its economy...
as the United States put itself in an all-out war footing.
I think it was around Christmas time.
You're late, Shinshi. Oh, Shige!
Don't worry, I'm taking Shinshi's place today.
What's wrong with Shinshi? That coward!
No, the Captain assigned him to something else.
Well, shall we be going?
Are you Officer Mikiyasu Shinshi?
Yes. Detective Matsui?
Yes. Nice to meet you.
Oh, this was the result of a personal matter.
So, what are we doing?
Trying to find a missing person.
I'll be seeing you well before New Year's, Shinobu.
Gomioka!
Who are you?
Captain, they should have sent up the flare by now.
I know.
They're jamming the radio, so use loudspeakers for communication.
Command cars, too.
Machine 2. Mobilize and take advance positions.
Shige, wait here.
Machine 1 will cross the bridge. Out.
If you understand, then reply!
- Roger. - Roger.
Roger.
Something's wrong.
The players are now on stage.
Places, everyone.
But it's Christmas vacation!
Can't you help us somehow?
Even if you asked around, it's probably too late.
How can you say that if you don't know what we're here for?
Huh? But...
Someone's life is at stake!
But...
Matsui, are you carrying your revolver?
This man doesn't understand that someone's life is in danger!
Are you threatening me?
All right! All right, then!
How horrible!
It's Machine 1 from Division 1. Where's Gomioka?!
He's gone.
That's Ota! Hurry, Noa!
Kanuka, why didn't you warn me that he was behind me!
Crap! Ota, get away!
How dare you! You won't make a fool out of me!
Why, you!
A Brocken? What's a West German military Labor doing here!
You're under arrest!
Noa, get back! You can't take him head-on!
We're surrounded!
Ota, there's another one behind you!
What?
What's going on?
What is this?
I can't believe it! They're using an ionizing beam weapon!
You guys are lucky.
Rei Clancy, maiden name Rei Kamimura.
It sounds like a stage name.
That doesn't matter.
Before moving to Hawaii, she lived in Tachikawa.
Tachikawa?
There's a US military base in Tachikawa. There's a connection there.
It was Christmas Eve then, too.
Kanuka!
Just hold me tightly, Midnight Blue
If I can make it to the bus stop by midnight
I know I can do it, if only just once
Pulled into my dream I find that I wake up
Drenched in sweat and feeling lonely
I turn off the TV I've been listening to
Tomorrow I will spend the whole day
In the city of my dreams, amidst the old dust
I want to feel the main street beneath my feet soon
I plan to always look on the brighter side
Keep my chin up, look to the future
After all, there's only one path I can travel
Just hold me tightly, Midnight Blue
If I can make it to the bus stop by midnight
I know I can do it, if only just once
If I can make it to the bus stop by midnight
I know I can do it, if only just once
This story is fiction... but in 10 years, who knows?
Retreat! Let's get back and tell the Captain about that identified Labor!
But, what about Kanuka?! And Ota's been caught, too!
What should we do, Asuma?!
Division 2 is in a life and death struggle.
The snow falls on the battleground at Tokyo Teleport.
Next time. Eve's Shudder. Target, locked on!